Former NBA MVP Charles Barkley took time out during a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before Monday's Celtics-Magic game to speak out against antigay discrimination.

He said: "You know, people try to make it about black and white. He talked about equality for every man, every woman. We have a thing going on now — people discriminating against homosexuality in this country. I love the homosexual people. God bless the gay people. They are great people."

Barkley, who currently works as a color commentator for basketball broadcasts, also spoke out in opposition to discrimination against Hispanics.

Back in 2006, when Barkley was eying a potential career in politics, the basketball star advocated for same-sex marriage and for an acceptance of the possibility of a gay player in professional sports.